Recognizing Child Abuse

One of the first steps in helping abused or neglected children is
learning to recognize the symptoms of child maltreatment.

While no single symptom alone proves that child maltreatment is
present in a family, when symptoms appear repeatedly or in
combination, they should cause us to take a closer look at the
situation and to consider the possibility of child abuse or
neglect.

Signs of Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is any non-accidental physical injury or threat
of injury to a child by a parent or caretaker. Physical abuse
includes cuts, fractures, bruises, shaking, burns and internal
injuries.

Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the
child:

has questionable burns, bites, bruises, broken bones or black
eyes;

has fading bruises or other marks noticeable after an absence
from school or day care;

seems frightened of the parents and protests or cries when it
is time to go home from school or day care;

shrinks at the approach of adults;

explains an injury in a way that is not believable, based on
the type of injury.

Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the
parent or other adult caregiver:

offers a conflicting or unconvincing explanation for the
child’s injury or refuses to explain an injury;

describes the child as “bad,” “stupid,” “different” or speaks
of the child in some other very negative way;

uses harsh physical discipline with the child;

was abused as a child.

Signs of Physical Neglect

Physical neglect is failure to provide children with the
adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical or dental care and
supervision that they need to be healthy and safe. Physical
neglect also includes abandonment and expulsion from home or not
allowing a runaway to return home. It is important to distinguish
between willful neglect and a parent’s or caretaker’s failure to
provide the necessities of life because of poverty or cultural
norms. A combination or pattern of physical indicators, child
behavioral characteristics and caretaker characteristics
indicates the possibility of physical neglect.

Consider the possibility of physical neglect when the
child:

is frequently absent from school;

begs or steals food or money from classmates;

lacks needed medical or dental care, immunizations or glasses;

is consistently dirty and has a severe body odor;

lacks proper clothing for the weather;

abuses drugs and/or alcohol;

states that there is no one home to provide care;

engages in delinquent acts such as vandalism or theft.

Consider the possibility of physical neglect when the
parent or other adult caregiver:

appears to be indifferent to the child;

seems apathetic or depressed;

consistently fails to keep appointments;

is abusing alcohol or drugs.

Signs of Mental Abuse or Neglect

Mental abuse is a chronic pattern of behaviors, such as
belittling, humiliating and ridiculing a child. Mental neglect is
the consistent failure of a parent or caregiver to provide a
child with appropriate support, attention and affection.

Consider the possibility of mental maltreatment when the
child:

has habit disorders, such as biting, head banging, bedwetting
or eating disorders;

shows extremes in behavior, may be overly compliant or
demanding or may be extremely passive or aggressive;

is either inappropriately adult (e.g. parenting other children)
or inappropriately infantile (e.g. frequent rocking or head
banging);

is delayed in physical or emotional development;

is self-destructive;

has sleep disorders, such as nightmares or fear of going to
sleep;

has hypochondria, hysteria, obsessions or phobias.

Consider the possibility of mental maltreatment when the
parent or other adult caregiver:

constantly blames, belittles or berates the child;

is unconcerned about the child and refuses to consider offers
of help for the child’s school problems;

overtly rejects the child;

treats siblings unequally;

has unreasonable demands or impossible expectations without
regard to the child’s developmental capacity.

Signs of Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse is defined as acts of sexual assault and sexual
exploitation of minors by parents or other caretakers. It
includes a broad range of behavior and may consist of a single
incident or many incidents over a long period of time. Because
sexual abuse usually does not involve a violent attack, there may
be little or no physical evidence that abuse has occurred.

Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when the
child:

has difficulty walking or sitting;

suddenly refuses to change for gym or to participate in
physical activities;

Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when the parent
or other adult caregiver, in conjunction with the above,
also:

is unduly protective of the child and/or severely limits the
child’s contact with other children, especially those of the
opposite sex;

describes marital difficulties involving family power struggles
or sexual relations;

abuses drugs and/or alcohol;

lacks social and emotional contacts outside the family;

was sexually abused as a child.

Factors Negatively Affecting Family Life

Understanding is the first step toward helping families.
Therefore, it is important for people to have some idea of the
reasons for the occurrence of child abuse and neglect. However,
because there is no simple “cause,” there can be no simple
“cure.” We do know that certain factors have a powerful effect on
family life. If these influences are negative, they can cause
severe parental stress, lead to lack of control and result in
child maltreatment.

The factors affecting families are:

violence in our society in general;

community attitude regarding family violence;

financial crises, poor housing, unemployment, poverty;

inadequate social integration, poor family relationships and
isolation;

general stress levels;

for the parent or caregiver, emotional immaturity, low
frustration tolerance leading to aggression, rigid thought and
behavior patterns, history of emotional deprivation as a child
and negative past family life history;

lack of parenting skills;

alcohol and chemical abuse.

The factors listed above can impact all families. Researchers
consistently document that child maltreatment can occur in all
communities — urban, suburban and rural; affluent and low-income;
Anglo and communities of color; religious and nonbelievers.

Report Suspected Abuse or Neglect

To report suspected abuse or neglect, call the department of
social services in the area in which the child lives or where the
alleged abuse occurred. Ask for child protective services. If you
feel that the child is in immediate and severe physical danger,
call child protective services and/or local law enforcement
immediately.

If you have questions about reporting child abuse or neglect,
call:
Fairfax County, DFS Child Protective Services Hotline/Helpline
at